Redmond receives high marks from front office

MIAMI -- For just the second time in franchise history, the Marlins have lost 100 games, but the record alone is no reflection on Mike Redmond.

Three years removed from his playing days, Redmond and his staff were given the task of coaching, molding and developing young players at the big league level.

Working with more than 20 rookies presented its challenges and share of losses.

Still, Redmond -- completing the first year of his three-year contract -- is receiving high marks from the front office.

"I think Mike Redmond has an unbelievable future in this game," Michael Hill, Miami's newly named president of baseball operations, said on Sunday. "When we hired Red, we were trying to change the culture in the clubhouse and make it about this team and what's going on on the field, and create an environment where these kids can develop. I think he has done that."

On Sunday the Marlins announced the new front-office structure, but they haven't finalized their coaching staff.

Hill said that the organization hopes to address the staff relatively soon, though there isn't expected to be major changes.

John Pierson is the interim hitting coach, having taken over the position after Tino Martinez resigned amid accusations that he was abusive to players.

Hill added that the Marlins are open to adding a second hitting coach, a trend used by a number of clubs, including the Cardinals and Phillies.

"Do we have areas where we need to improve? You always do," Hill said. "We're going to sit down after the season and talk collectively and say what we need to do to make things better, because we need to win more ballgames, plain and simple."